Health Literacy as a Pathway to Equitable Pharmacy Care

Equity in health care is not about giving every patient the same resources, but about meeting people where they are. A powerful example is the image of everyone receiving the same bicycle. That may be equal, but it is not equitable, because not everyone can use the same bicycle in the same way. For pharmacists, this lesson translates directly into patient care.

Community pharmacists develop long-standing relationships with their patients. Over time, this trust allows them to recognize cues and tailor care accordingly. Not every patient needs the same amount of counseling. Some may need just a few minutes, while others may require longer, more focused conversations to ensure understanding. This tailored approach is equity in action, adjusting time and effort based on individual needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all standard.

Health literacy is at the center of this effort. Patients cannot act on care plans if the information is inaccessible. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to simplify information, check for understanding, and empower patients to take ownership of their health. But achieving true equity also requires organizational and system-level change.

On August 30, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is hosting the Health Literacy Summit, a pre-event meeting before the organization’s World Congress, which is taking place August 31 to September 3 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Health Literacy Summit will explore how pharmacists can improve patient outcomes through health literacy and will feature several expert lectures and panel discussions.

Drug Topics® recently sat down with Amy Howard, MS, PharmD, clinical assistant professor at the University of Maryland and the health literacy coordinator at FIP, and Laura Sahm, PhD, professor of clinical pharmacy at University College Cork, who will be speaking at the event, to discuss the role health literacy plays in advancing health equity and how pharmacists can contribute meaningfully to that goal.

READ MORE: Public Health Resource Center

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